Parenting Guide
Ontario Parenting Plan
A parenting plan explains where children live, how decisions are made, how exchanges work, and what happens on holidays, school breaks, travel, and emergencies.
Quick answer
Plan parenting time, decision-making responsibility, holidays, transportation, travel, and special clauses for an Ontario separation agreement.
Decision-making responsibility
Decision-making responsibility covers major decisions about education, health, religion, and important activities. Parents can share decisions or divide responsibility by topic.
Parenting schedule
Common schedules include primary residence, every other weekend, week-on/week-off, 2-2-3, 5-2-2-5, or a custom schedule. The right option depends on age, distance, school, work, and conflict level.
Holidays and school breaks
Holiday terms reduce future disputes by explaining who has the children for holidays, long weekends, birthdays, religious observances, March break, and summer.
Transportation and communication
The plan should say who drives, where exchanges happen, what time exchanges occur, and how parents communicate about logistics and decisions.
Common questions
What is the difference between parenting time and decision-making responsibility?
Parenting time is when a child is with each parent. Decision-making responsibility is who makes major decisions about the child.
Can a parenting plan include custom holidays?
Yes. Custom holidays can cover religious observances, cultural events, family traditions, birthdays, and school breaks.
Should parenting terms be detailed?
Yes. Detail helps prevent conflict, especially around exchanges, holidays, travel, communication, and schedule changes.
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Estimate support, organize parenting and property terms, and export a formatted agreement for review.